Sears Springs Into Giving With Annual Heroes at Home Donation Drive

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., May 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Continuing its dedication and commitment to supporting military members and their families, Sears is launching its fourth annual Heroes at Home spring renovation campaign with Rebuilding Together, the nation's leading nonprofit working to preserve affordable homeownership. This spring, Sears and Rebuilding Together expect to renovate more than 300 homes across the country as part of the Heroes at Home program, which aims to improve American military families' lives by making necessary repairs, improvements or modifications to their homes. Sears is encouraging Americans to lend their support by making a donation to Heroes at Home in any Sears store nationwide or online at sears.com/heroesathome now through July 16. Customer donations will support the rehabilitation of homes for veterans and military families across the country, as well as benefit Rebuilding Together's Disaster Assessment and Response Program.

"Our military veterans, service members and their families are the backbone to this country," said David Friedman, SVP and president of Marketing, Sears Holdings. "At Sears, we not only stand behind all that our military members do but look to provide for them through programs like Heroes at Home. These efforts help ensure that our military members and their families can retain their jobs and remain comfortably in their homes, which we could not do without the volunteer support and donations from our customers and associates."

To highlight our American heroes and all that they do to serve our country, Sears has also announced the launch of a national "Portraits of Heroes" song contest with country music singer and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Josh Gracin.

Now through June 1, veterans, active servicemen and women, military spouses and family members across the country are invited to submit a portrait of their hero and description (1,000 words or less) of what makes him or her a star in their eyes. Entries submitted online will be judged on the originality of the story, connection to the heroes theme and photo that brings the story to life. The winner will have his or her story turned into a song, which will be performed by Josh Gracin, who first gained national attention on season two of Fox's American Idol.

The prize package for the winner of the Sears "Portraits of Heroes" song contest includes:

• Personal story composed into a song that will be written, produced and performed by Gracin
• A trip for four (4) to Nashville, Tenn., June 24-26 to spend a day with Gracin in the recording studio
• Autographed guitar and CD from Gracin

In addition to the Heroes at Home program, Sears Holdings is one of the top employers of military veterans and provides numerous recruiting and employment programs to support service members and their families. Just last month, the company launched its Permanent Change of Duty Station Promise to military associates employed by the retailer, which helps associates transfer to a Sears Holdings store close to their new community. Furthermore, Sears Holdings offers a military pay differential to full time Sears associates who are reservists, serving on active duty. Reservists who are employed full time are allowed to continue participating in life insurance, medical and dental programs.

For more information on how to donate to the Sears Heroes at Home program or enter the "Portraits of Heroes" song contest, visit www.sears.com/heroesathome.

About Sears Holdings Corporation

Sears Holdings Corporation is the nation's fourth largest broadline retailer with over 4,000 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada. Sears Holdings is the leading home appliance retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, consumer electronics and automotive repair and maintenance.  Sears Holdings is the 2011 ENERGY STAR® Retail Partner of the Year. Key proprietary brands include Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard, and a broad apparel offering, including such well-known labels as Lands' End, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well as the Apostrophe and Covington brands. It also has the Country Living collection, which is offered by Sears and Kmart. We are the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 11 million service calls made annually. Sears Holdings Corporation operates through its subsidiaries, including Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corporation.  For more information, visit Sears Holdings' website at www.searsholdings.com.

About Rebuilding Together

Rebuilding Together is the nation's leading nonprofit organization working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods by providing extensive rehabilitation and modification services to those in need at no cost to those served. With the help of everyday citizen volunteers, skilled trades people, the support of local business and major corporate partners, Rebuilding Together affiliates in America's largest cities and smallest towns make life considerably better for thousands of low-income homeowners and the communities in which they live by completing 10,000 projects per year. Rebuilding Together has programs dedicated to, energy efficiency, veteran's housing, aging in place and gulf coast reconstruction. For more information, visit www.RebuildingTogether.org. You can also follow Rebuilding Together on Twitter @rebldgtogthr or become a fan on Facebook at Facebook.com/RebuildingTogether.

SOURCE Sears, Roebuck and Co.